Delgado-Santos helps ignite Honesdale's run on the Lackawanna League hardwood
HONESDALE — Local boys basketball fans can be forgiven for worrying a bit about Honesdale during the first few weeks of the 2022-23 campaign.
Under the direction of rookie head coach Jon Gillow, the Hornets opened up the regular season with six straight setbacks.
However, something started to click on the heels of a lopsided loss to East Stroudsburg South at the Jaycees Tournament. Thanks in large part to the play of Nate Hugaboom, Karter Kromko, Joey Taraschuk, Kole Fries, Nate Greene, Peter Modrovsky and Trent Gombita a reversal of fortune was underway at Honesdale.
Momentum began to build when the Hornets thrashed Western Wayne in the consolation contest. It then carried over into Lackawanna League action … and suddenly, Honesdale is one of the hottest teams around.
The local lads have reeled off four wins in five games, including impressive road victories at North Pocono and Wallenpaupack Area. As a result, they’re 3-1 and tied for first place in Division II.
“These guys are just all-around hard workers and grinders,” Coach Gillow said. “They bring 100 percent every night, doesn’t matter what role they play on the team.
“The kids are so sick of losing. They’re willing to do anything to have success and I love that about them.”
Rising Star
One of the big reasons for Honesdale’s recent surge in the standings is the stellar play of Jeffry Delgado-Santos.
A senior power forward, Delgado-Santos is a multi-sport standout who also excels in football and track. Versatility, toughness and athleticism are just a few of the traits Jeffry brings to the basketball court.
“It doesn’t matter whether he’s in the game for one minute or 15 minutes,” said Coach Gillow. “He always gives 100 percent and comes back off the court exhausted.”
Delgado-Santos is an extremely valuable player coming off the Hornet bench. He brings energy, physicality and an intense focus onto the floor with him.
So far this season, Delgado-Santos has scored 18 points on the strength on nine field goals. However, it’s his hard-nosed defense, non-stop hustle and tenacity on the boards that causes headaches for the opposition.
“Defense and rebounding are two things that I think I do well,” Jeffry said. “I’m really excited for the team because we’re playing much better than last year.”
Delgado-Santos has been making major contributions to the cause lately, helping Honesdale post crucial road wins at North Pocono and Wallenpaupack Area.
The Hornets used a 17-10 third quarter advantage in rallying for a 50-43 victory over the Trojans last Friday night. That performance proved to be just a hint of things to come, though, as the Red & Black followed it up with an electrifying effort at Paupack.
This latest renewal of an ancient local rivalry was nip and tuck through the first three periods. Honesdale took a 20-18 lead into the locker room at halftime. However, Paupack tied the score 32-32 heading into the final stanza.
Hugaboom was the ultimate difference down the stretch. The silky smooth senior guard tallied eight of his team-best 16 points in the fourth, leading the Hornets to a wild 53-45 triumph.
“We asked them to attack the offensive glass and to play really great defense,” Coach Gillow said. “And they did exactly that for 32 minutes. Jeffry and Peter Modrovsky held Jake Holbert, who averages 20 points a game, to just six.”
For his part, Delgado-Santos was ecstatic about his team’s big time road upset of their archrival.
“We haven’t beaten Paupack in like five years,” Jeffry said. “We had a good game plan and we stuck to it. We were really pumped. It’s a huge win, but our job isn’t done yet.”
Building Momentum
Honesdale currently sports an overall record of 4-8. However, the Hornets are 3-1 in Division II and locked in a three-way tie for first place.
Delgado-Santos and his teammates face several key challenges in the coming days including games against traditional powers Scranton High, Valley View and Abington Heights.
“Our team bonding has been great,” Jeffry said. “Most of us have been playing together for a long time. I’m excited because I think we can make the playoffs. That’s our goal and I believe we can do it.”
That kind of confidence is another reason that Delgado-Santos excels as an athlete. In addition to basketball, Jeffry is a two-way player in football and a multi-event standout in track & field.
Paul Russick mentors Delgado-Santos on the gridiron and track. He watched Jeffry evolve into a key contributor on this year’s Hornet football team.
Delgado-Santos starred on special teams, returning a kick-off 80 yards to The House against West Scranton. He also became a starter at defensive end and recorded a crucial sack against Dunmore.
“Jeffry just gives you everything he has,” Coach Russick said. “We asked him to do a lot of different things this year and he gave it 100 percent. Jeffry is a great young man who always has a positive attitude.”
Coach Gillow concurs.
“Jeffry is always smiling,” the rookie skipper said. “We task him with coming off the bench and guarding the other team’s top scorer. That’s a tough job, but Jeffry relishes the challenge and does it with a smile on his face every time.”
That boundless enthusiasm is contagious. It’s also a perfect complement to the skills his teammates bring to the table: The perimeter shooting of Hugaboom and Taraschuk; Kromko’s ball handling expertise; the low post power of Gombita, Fries and Greene.
That’s a combination that should make Honesdale a formidable opponent during the second half of the Lackawanna League season.
Looking to the Future
Jeffry is the son of Nikaury Santos and Jose Andrés Veras.
He’s a big NBA fan who roots for the Golden State Warriors. His favorite player of all-time is Kobe Bryant.
Delgado-Santos’ plans after graduation are to enlist in the United States Army 32nd Airborne Division.
“I want to be the first one in my family to join the Army,” Jeffry said. “Serving my country is important to me.”
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Lackawanna League Boys Basketball Honesdale Hornets Delgado-Santos
